Mantis

Tanglang Quan – Mantis Fist is a style of Chinese martial arts; it was created by a Kung Fu Master Wang Lang about 1600 A.D. The Mantis Fist is very useful in close range combat, it has another name called short-hit Fist, one of the Xing Yi fists (Shape Will Fist). To improve Shaolin Kung Fu, Master Fu Yu (1203 – 1275) started to develop Shaolin mantis at this time in the Shaolin Temple Henan, China.

Master Wang Lang was devastated when he later lost in a Kung Fu competition. He became very depressed. Lying under a big locust tree, he suddenly saw two praying mantises fighting viciously for an insect. These two mantises were assuming various positions, such as Hooking, Pulling, Jumping, Defending and Locking. Master Wang Lang was so impressed in the two Mantis movements that he felt very inspired. These thoughts of contemplation helped him to create an early basic structure of Mantis Fist. He continued to practice very hard and became highly skilled. He went back to challenge the man who had defeated him. This time, the man could not match Master Wang Lang.

Mantis martial form usually attacks joints and pressure points, usually causes breakage with the forcefully use of the elbow. It’s similar to boxing form but just with open hands they move there blocks in a whipping motion making it easier to attack an opponent and counter there attacks to strike vital areas.

The traditional Mantis Fist shows great emphasis on the entirety of six aspects of martial arts: Spirit, Body, Mind, Qi, Strength and Variety of techniques. All these aspects will help you achieve a high level, which means the external practice will be more harmonious with the internal practice. Mantis Fist is based on the principle of being swift, steady, exact and varied. The moves include, Hooking, Picking, Hanging and Beng Fist. The technique routes are mainly arc and round, while the body revolves in different movements.

There are many different forms practiced and studied, but all of them have some kind similarity. One may use a cat stance – Xu Bu, or Gong Bu; some prefer the open hand, some like closed fist; it’s a personal preference, but they all go through the same training, and everything started with Master Wang Lang.